The Things She Will Learn...

I still remember the first real estate conference I attended back in 1998. It was the Ohio Realtors Convention in Cincinnati. I was encouraged (or perhaps even pressured) by my office manager and many of the top agents in my office to attend. I admired them and wanted to follow their lead, increase business, close more deals, and earn more money.

I still remember some of the speakers I heard. I still remember the parties we went to. And I still remember wondering if attending would really add value to my career.

Heck yes, it did.

Fast forward 27 years, and I’m in Las Vegas this week for the Coldwell Banker Gen Blue Experience. I’m excited to reconnect with friends from across the brand, to learn new ways to deliver memorable experiences to my customers, clients, and community, and to once again speak in a breakout session, sharing ideas, information, and hopefully a little inspiration with those who choose to show up.

But this year, I’m most excited because my daughter, Riley, is here with me. She’s attending her very first real estate conference. She gets to dive into the energy of Gen Blue with thousands of Coldwell Banker agents and affiliates from around the globe. She will see what building relationships, solving problems, and having fun looks like in real life, even if “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”

At least, that’s what I’m hoping for.

She will learn that success doesn’t come from simply showing up. It comes from planning, preparing, and connecting ahead of time, being engaged in the moment, and following up after the event or sale is done.

She will learn that real estate isn’t about the houses. It’s about the people who live in them and the people who help and serve those people.

She will learn that sales and marketing are less about facts and figures and more about the stories we tell and the stories others tell about us.

She will learn that waking up at 3:30 a.m. for a 6:00 a.m. flight is worth it when it leads to a relaxing round of golf at a beautiful course with one of Dad’s friends.

She will learn that jet lag only wins if you let it. (#ImNotTiredYet #ImNotTiredYet #ImNotTiredYet)

She will learn that putting people over profits is always the right choice.

She will learn that there is always more to learn, and that is why you keep showing up every day, ready to grow.

She will learn that her dad knows a few people and maybe even a few things worth knowing.

And hopefully, she will learn that, at least for now, this is exactly where she is meant to be.

Building relationships, solving problems, and having fun.